Machado urges U.S. leaders to push for a democratic government in Venezuela

Geoff Bennett:

Welcome to the "News Hour."

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado told an audience in Washington, D.C., today that she's confident democracy will return to her nation.

Amna Nawaz:

Almost two weeks after the U.S. arrest of now former President Nicolas Maduro, Machado revealed little of her own plans.

As Nick Schifrin reports, that hasn't stopped the Trump White House from engaging with the rest of the Maduro regime it left in place.

Nick Schifrin:

Today, the first image of what U.S. officials billed as a historic meeting, CIA Director John Ratcliffe greeting interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez. That handshake and Ratcliffe's trip to Caracas would have been unthinkable just weeks ago, especially to visit U.S.-sanctioned nationalist politician Rodriguez, handpicked successor to captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

But a U.S. official says the meeting was a sign of an improved U.S.-Venezuela relationship and that Venezuela must block drug trafficking and provide the U.S. economic opportunities.

Maria Corina Machado, Venezuela Opposition Leader:

This has nothing to do with a tension or decision between Delcy Rodriguez and myself.

Nick Schifrin:

But in Washington today, opposition leader Maria Corina Machado urged the U.S. to proceed with caution.

Maria Corina Machado:

Delcy Rodriguez, yes, she's a communist. She's the main ally and representation of the Russian regime, the Chinese and Iranians. But that's not the Venezuelan people and that's not the armed forces.

Nick Schifrin:

Last night, Machado gifted president her Nobel Peace Prize. Only 150 have ever been awarded, and one will now hang in the White House, dedicated to President Trump's -- quote -- "principled and decisive action to secure a free Venezuela."

President Dondald Trump:

And she gave me her Nobel Prize, but I'll tell you what. I got to know her. I never met her before. And I was very, very impressed. She's a really -- this is a fine woman.

Nick Schifrin:

Machado praised the president, but did not pull her punches, especially in Spanish, in her criticism of a politician whom she believes cannot deliver long-term stability.

Maria Corina Machado (through interpreter):

There are some things that Delcy Rodriguez may be able to deliver, forced by power because she is terrified of President Trump. But there are things that Delcy Rodriguez or any of the members of the criminal structure will never be able to provide, trust, rule of law, reconciliation, citizen participation and support.

Never, never. Therefore, it is not sustainable, and she knows it.

Nick Schifrin:

But if that's what she argued to the president, he was not persuaded.

Question, why ally with Delcy Rodriguez and the remnants of the Maduro regime, and not with Machado, who has the support of the Venezuelan people?

President Donald Trump:

Well, if you ever remember a place called Iraq, where everybody was fired, every single person, the police, the generals, everybody was fired, and they ended up being ISIS. Instead of just getting down to business, they ended up being ISIS.

Nick Schifrin:

Last month, I spoke to Grey Bull Rescue's Bryan Stern, who organized Machado's daring escape from Venezuela.

Bryan Stern, Grey Bull Rescue:

She has rock star level status in the country. She got on a boat and that boat was not what most people think. It was a very small boat. The seas were between five and 10 feet.

Nick Schifrin:

And now, for the first time, Machado admitted she thought she would not survive the journey.

Maria Corina Machado:

So it was very risky, dangerous and scary moment, I have to say. And it lasted several hours. But at the end, as I say, we have worked, moved ahead (SPEAKING IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE).

Nick Schifrin:

"Thanks to the hand of God."

Maria Corina Machado:

It is a miracle. And I'm here.

Nick Schifrin:

And so Machado continues her campaign to deliver democracy back to Venezuela and convince President Trump of its potential.

For the "PBS News Hour," I'm Nick Schifrin.